Two major public transport projects in east Auckland will be progressed as part of the coalition Government’s 2024-27 National Land Transport Programme (NLTP).
The Eastern Busway and Botany to Auckland Airport rapid transit project are listed along with completion of the City Rail Link, the Northwest Rapid Transit Corridor, and the Lower North Island Rail Integrated Mobility.
A New Zealand Transport Agency document focusing on Auckland states: “Subject to funding availability, we’ll look to further progress Eastern Busway stage 4 (Tī Rākau Drive to Botany) and Airport to Botany Busway”.
Transport Minister and Pakuranga MP Simeon Brown yesterday announced the Government will invest a record $32.9 billion in the country’s transport network through the NLTP, which he says will create “a more reliable and efficient transport network that boosts economic growth and productivity”.
“New Zealanders rejected the previous Government’s transport policies which resulted in non-delivery, phantom projects, slower speed limits, and an infestation of speed bumps.
“The Government is turning this around with record investment in transport projects that reduce travel times, improve public transport options, and build and maintain our roading network to the safe and reliable standard Kiwis expect.”
Brown says the NLTP delivers on coalition agreements to reintroduce the Roads of National Significance (RoNS) programme, with a pipeline of 17 RoNS across the country.
It gets back to basics by focusing on maintenance and pothole prevention to reduce potholes, supports reliable public transport services and delivers four new major public transport projects to increase travel choices in our main cities, and ensures councils are doing the basics brilliantly with increased pothole prevention, reduced funds for cycleways, and no funds for speed bumps.
“I’m pleased to see this NLTP adopted by the NZ Transport Agency board, which boosts funding by 35 per cent compared to the last three years, strongly reflects our Government’s priorities of economic growth and productivity, increased maintenance and resilience, safety, and value for money,” Brown says.
“The NLTP prioritises 17 RoNS to create a pipeline of roading infrastructure across the country.
“Kiwis will see fewer potholes on our roads as we invest significantly in resealing, rehabilitation, and drainage maintenance to prevent pesky potholes from forming in the first place.
“A record $6.4b will be invested in public transport services and infrastructure to increase travel choices and deliver more reliable services in our main cities.”
The 2024-27 NLTP is a partnership between NZTA and local government, which invests national funding on behalf of the Government through the National Land Transport Fund (NLTF).
Funds for the NLTF are collected from fuel excise duty, road user charges and vehicle registration and driver licensing fees.
Among the Roads of National Significance listed in the NLTP is Mill Road.
The previous 21.5km Mill Road corridor project was part of the NZ Upgrade Programme of infrastructure works, designed to support the country’s economic recovery from the impact of Covid-19.
It ran parallel to State Highway One from Flat Bush and Manukau to Papakura and Drury.
Following Brown’s announcement, Labour Party transport spokesperson Tangi Utikere said the NLTP “lacks ambition for our cities and our country’s rail network and puts the majority of investment into roads”.
“We too want to build the infrastructure our country needs, and that includes roads – like the vital link replacing the Manawatū Gorge.
“But they’ve halved the budget that makes it easier to walk and cycle in our cities, which is disappointing and short-sighted.
“The traffic problems in Auckland aren’t going to be solved with more roads. Where is the ambition for our biggest city?
“Taking trucks off our roads is what will permanently fix the pothole problem, not some arbitrary fund that will only result in more patch-up jobs and road cones.”
